The importance of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generators (PMSGs) lies in their high efficiency, reliability, and adaptability, making them integral components in renewable energy systems, particularly in wind turbines, contributing to the sustainable generation of electricity. This report undertakes a thorough exploration of PMSGs, involving an extensive review of fault diagnosis methodologies gleaned from diverse research papers. The investigation extends into MATLAB simulation, employing advanced models and algorithms to replicate PMSG behaviour across a range of operational conditions. Furthermore, the study incorporates practical experimentation by installing a test rig featuring a variable induction motor and two distinct PMSGs. This experimental setup enables a comprehensive assessment of PMSG performance and fault responses in realistic scenarios. To simulate practical applications, the investigation integrates PMSGs onto a wind turbine, utilizing a wind tunnel for controlled testing. Additionally, the introduction of a gearbox into the system allows for a nuanced evaluation of PMSG behaviour under varying wind speeds and thermal conditions. The experimental focus investigates asymmetry and demagnetization under varying ambient thermal conditions. Innovatively, the study introduces the concept of digital twins, utilizing these virtual replicas to enhance real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance. This comprehensive approach aims to advance our understanding of PMSG characteristics, refine techniques for diagnosing demagnetization and asymmetry faults, validate simulation accuracy, assess the impact of external factors, and leverage digital twins for real-time monitoring and maintenance. The findings significantly contribute to the evolving landscape of renewable energy systems, promoting efficient and reliable utilization of PMSGs in diverse applications. The findings of our research on Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generators (PMSGs) has led to key findings, particularly in fault diagnosis. We identified distinct diagnostic patterns for demagnetization, factoring in ambient temperature variations, to develop a framework for real-time monitoring and risk mitigation. Our experiments also highlighted the stability of PMSGs under varying conditions, emphasizing the importance of stable current characteristics for reliable power generation in wind turbines. Additionally, we introduced an effective method for detecting eccentricity faults in PMSGs, which improves turbine reliability and supports proactive maintenance, essential for advancing wind energy systems.
| Date of Award | 31 Mar 2025 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Supervisor | Fengshou Gu (Main Supervisor), Helen Miao (Co-Supervisor) & Xiuquan Sun (Co-Supervisor) |
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